Charity dinner to raise money for stroke sufferers

TOOWOOMBA mum Coralie Graham is determined to bring revolutionary reverse stroke treatment to Australia.

Ms Graham along with family and friends have been fundraising for the past two months to support the perispinal etanercept treatment clinical trials.

The dedicated mum is officially launching her charity, the Stroke Recovery Trial Fund on Saturday.

The charity was inspired by her 27-year-old son Joel Shepherd.

He underwent perispinal etanercept treatment last year in the hopes of reducing the swelling on his brain he incurred as a three-year-old.

Mr Shepherd is now able walk independently and his conversation skills have improved.

The only trouble is that the treatment is only available in Los Angeles.

Ms Graham said so far they had raised $62,000 and were one step closer to having the treatment available in Australia.

"One in six people will suffer a stroke at some point in their life and we need better treatment close to home," she said.

"The treatment works.

"Joel is living proof that it works.

"The green light is now on and the trials are going ahead.

"The university needed $50,000 for stage one and $250,000 will fund the whole trial.

"It is wonderful that we can make a difference but we still have a long way to go.

"We are hoping to raise another $30,000 at the launch this weekend."

The charity launch is a black tie dinner, being held at Inbound Brasserie at the Toowoomba Railway Station.

Tickets are $165 and includes pre-dinner drinks and a three-course meal.

There will be guest speakers, a charity auction and live music.

The Stroke Recovery Trial Fund is also holding a public meeting at the Toowoomba City Golf Club on Friday from 6pm- 8pm.

The presentation is about raising awareness for the new treatment.

To book tickets for the charity launch phone 0412 218 598.

For more information or to make a donation visit strokerecoverytrialfund.org.